From a young age we were told to "take our vitamins," and remember our moms giving us those colorful pills that were shaped like Fred Flintstone and tasted like candy. We didn't think twice about eating these chewables because, well, we were told to, and as a bonus they were yummy. The years went on, and soon we didn't have mommy present to give us our daily vitamin reminder. Now we're solely responsible for supplementing our bodies, and we realize there are more options on the shelf than Fred, Wilma, Barney, and Betty. There are multiple nutritional pills on the market: everything from multi-vitamins, to single vitamins like calcium, to vitamins for hair and nails, to supplements that promote weight loss. Okay, now I'm confused.if it was that easy to take a pill and lose weight, wouldn't everyone be thin? In recent times, there are numerous vitamins readily available, claiming to cure ailments and perform bodily miracles. It is important to know which supplements will prevent nutritional depletions, and which ones will simply deplete our wallets.

The debate over supplement use is ongoing amongst doctors and nutritionalists. Some people firmly believe that concocted vitamins are a hoax, and that all essential nutrients can be acquired through a healthy and complete diet. Our bodies absorb vitamins more efficiently through food, and a pill cannot replicate a natural source. However, others argue that natural foods don't contain their potential nutrients these days due to factors like air pollutants, food additives, pesticides, and being picked prematurely. Therefore, our bodies require other forms of vitamins to "supplement" our diet and make up for the shortcomings of our current food supply. So what theory do we believe, and what supplements are worth our hard earned dollar? If only our bodies could talk to us and tell us what needs are being met and what nutritional fantasies have yet to be fulfilled! Well, since we can't see what's going on inside, we owe it to our bodies to attempt to get as many nutrients as possible through our eating regimen. However, since we can never be sure we're getting enough, and since "cheat" days like Superbowl Sunday are inevitable, we should revert back to our childhood and continue to take that one vitamin a day. (preferably one that doesn't have a cartoon character on the box) One single, daily multi-vitamin is always a safe bet and will offer all the essentials without an overload.

There are of course exceptions to the one-a-day rule, and based on your current lifestyle, situation, and build, your body might require additional supplements. Some obvious examples are that pregnant women need prenatal vitamins and serious fitness gurus need additional protein to repair and maintain their muscle tissue. Every body is different and therefore has different nutritional needs. To ensure you properly feed these needs, take a deep look at yourself and consider any environmental and genetic factors. And feed them in proper form: liquid or powder. Our bodies absorb these substances more efficiently than vitamins offered through a pill. Liquid supplements go directly to the bloodstream, while pills take a longer route and are processed in the digestive track. (this could take hours) Also, pills are bound together by inactive, aka useless, ingredients like wax, talcum, and starch, which hinder the breakdown process and weaken the absorption of the active, aka useful, ingredients. Talk about a pill!

Okay, enough about the daily doses, what about all these other products out there; the ones promising to help me achieve my fitness dreams? The decision to purchase is one that you and your financial situation have to come to, but before you buy, make sure you know the facts! Manufacturers aren't required to register their product with the FDA, therefore, if you're not 100% sure a product is safe, talk to your healthcare provider! (and research the listed ingredients) But most importantly, know the difference between what your body wants and needs, and what you're simply taking for a piece of mind or to make up for.plain laziness. You can take protein powder to enhance your muscles, but that protein powder can't replace a trip to the gym. You can take vitamin c to prevent that cold, but it won't outshine the best remedy of all: sleep! Remember that no manufactured product has a bigger brain than Mother Nature!